Thomas Clement Fletcher

Fletcher, Thomas Clement, 1827–99, governor of Missouri (1865–69), b. Herculaneum, Mo. A Democrat opposed to slavery, he became a Republican in 1856 and supported Lincoln for the presidential nomination in 1860. In the Civil War, Fletcher commanded a Missouri regiment and served in the Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Atlanta campaigns. He was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers for his service in repulsing Sterling Price at Pilot Knob, Mo. (Oct., 1864). As governor in the difficult postwar period, he proved an exceptionally able administrator.